Customer Reviews

Revolutions

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The fact that a crew of REAL DJs actually has a major label deal in 2004 (four years after the peak of turntablism) deserves an automatic three stars. But this album is really aimed at the non-DJ heads (even more so than 'Built from Scratch'). Its best to evaluate it in its sections.

The tracks produced by Roc Raida are the most grounded in traditional NYC Hip Hop (Back to Back, Regulators, Live from...). All three tracks feature MCs, and they make or break each track. The best is 'Back to Back' where the MCs really kill it and incorporate the DJs. The disappointment is 'Live..' where the MCs seem uninspired and the 'Daisy Lady' sample is just too familiar.

The tracks produced by Total Eclipse and produciton partner Matt Stein are probably the weakest. C'mon and Ill Bill are just average (disappointing, since Ill Bill starts with a good foundation, but just doesn't go anywhere). And the remake of Rob Zombie's 'More human than human' just doesn't grab me. That may be becuase I'm not a Zombie fan, and I find Slug (who I think is probably the dopest in the independant scene right now) giving his most mediocre performance I know of.

The tracks produced by Rob Swift and Anthony Saffery (The Professionals) are what really tell the story of this album. After getting some airplay with their Linkin Park colabo ('Its Going Down'), Rob Swift must have thought it was only right to go full on rock/scratch/hiphop. When it works, you can only think he's a genius. 'Countdown pt. 2' and 'Space Invader' are incredible tracks for both headbangers and head nodders. 'Like This' is the crown jewel, with its scratchy funk guitar licks and distorted vocals. Where they slip up is on the B Real assisted 'Get With it' (which is even worse than Cypress' recent rock/rap albums) and on 'Let me Rock' which sounds like a song off of H.O.T.'s first album (if you know anything about Korean pop, you know this is not a good thing).

The remaining three tracks are good (Old School Throwdown,) average ('Truth', where Fat Joe says Big Pun was as good as Big and Pac? rapper please), and just plain god awful ('Sucker..' which uses the same bassline as Masta Ace's 'Born to Roll' and shows how wack dead prez are when they aren't talking politics).

Ultimately, you should pick this up because real Hip Hop DJs deserve to be supported. But, if you know about the skills of the legendary 'X-Men', this album will just make you put on "X-Pressions."

This album is bangin. But could have been WAY better. Its not close to being as good as Built From Scratch. It seems like it has more rapping and less scratching on the tables. I think its worth the purchase from the X fans. There some good hiphop type tracks, like the one with Ghostface is awesome, good scratches on some, not that much though, just a rap album pretty much. Still good, check it out!

My Top 5 Songs
1.Live From The PJs
2.Back To Back
3.The Regulators
4.Old School Throwdown
5.Sucka Thank He Cud Wup Me

Unlike many albums by turntablists, which are the rough equivalent of guitar hero records, this is a hip-hop album featuring the likes of Ghostface Killah, Black Thought, Cypress Hill, and Fat Joe on the mic (collaborations with Blue Man Group and Rob Zombie). Drawing on rockfunksoul sounds ranging from twenty years past to at least a few years into the future, the X-Ecutioners create a huge mountain of sound that's familiar enough to ski down comfortably but crisp enough to make your ears bleed. Plus a number of skits that skewer hip-hop's underbelly of wanna-bes.

I am a huge fan of the X-Ecutioners, and turntablism in general. Built From Scratch is my favorite CD of all time, and I've been eagerly anticipating this album.

I am not disappointed. Yes, they have lost a member since Built From Scratch (Mista Sinista left the group shortly after the release), but the group has not lost any of its original flavor. GrandMaster Roc Raida, Rob Swift, and Total Eclipse keep it going regardless. Edgier, more hardcore, and more refined techniques are displayed here, displaying that the boys haven't stopped building on their legendary skills.

Some highlights from the album:
the upbeat "Countdown Pt. 2". Awesome beat by the Blue Man Group here.

"Live From The PJ's". Ghostface really shines on this one, and the track ends with a long acapella by Black Thought.

"Back to Back" There's a line in here that's an inside joke for all you DJ's out there... "Finger-f***ed my crossfader, now I bust out crabs..."

"Let Me Rock" is a reworked version of "Body Rock" from Need For Speed: Underground. The new version features rock band Start Trouble.

"(Even)More Human Than Human" I believe this is the first single (not sure), and if the title doesn't give it away, it's a remix of White Zombie's "More Human Than Human." Slug from Atmosphere brings it nice on this track, and the track is awesome as a stand-alone, yet faithful to the original.

"ILL BILL" Interesting track. The scratches actually fit into the melody of the song!

Throw in a few hilarious skits, and this is a worthy follow-up to Built From Scratch(although BFS will always be my favorite).

I like these new age bands....guys...you want to be like RATM? whoa....nice attempt...but the feat. rappers haven't well synced with the group. You need to put some more energy in to these songs. Otherwise, a good treat to techno-hip hop lovers